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Maddy Finnish-es with a flourish in Kytäjä
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Maddy Finnish-es with a flourish in Kytäjä

England’s Paul Maddy rounded off a stunning day’s golf with an eagle to card a seven under par 64, the best of his Challenge Tour career, and storm into the clubhouse lead midway through the opening round of the Vacon Open.

Paul Maddy (Juha Hakulinen)

The 33 year old, playing his second season on the Challenge Tour having come through the satellite EuroPro Tour, carded four birdies and a bogey to reach the turn in three under par in wet conditions at the picturesque Kytäjä Golf.

Maddy’s putter was red hot all day and he rolled in a 25-footer at the 11th for birdie to reboot his momentum after dropping at shot before the turn.

Back to back birdies at the 14th and 15th moved him one clear on six under par and while he fell to uncharacteristic three-putt at the par four 17th for a second bogey of the day, he bounced back in superb style.

The Cambridge player slammed a perfect drive down the fairway at the signature lake-side 18th hole before his three-wood approach fell to ten feet and he deftly knocked in a difficult downhill putt for an eagle and a two-shot lead.

“I had a 66 in Belgium last year but that’s probably the best I’ve played to date on the Challenge Tour and certainly this year,” said the 2012 EuroPro Order of Merit winner.

“It’s not an easy course but I managed to keep it in play off the tee and then just holed more than my fair share of putts. I had a couple from 20 feel plus which is always pleasing. I had two-three putts so the round could have been lower but I can’t complain with the rest of it.

“It’s fantastic to finish with an eagle too. I had three-putted from the same distance on 17 so it was nice to get it on the last.

“I felt like my game has been there but hasn’t quite materialised yet. I played well in a few tournaments but didn’t push on so hopefully this week will be a starting point for some good things. I feel my confident now which is nice, so it’s just about holing putts now.”

Antonio Hortal of Spain, winner already this year at the Challenge de Catalunya, signed for a five under par 66 to move to within two shots of the lead.

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